Lawmaker Proposes Moving Halloween to a Saturday. Do You Agree?
Proposal for 2012 would make Halloween the last Saturday of October in Connecticut.
State Rep. Tim Larson, a Democrat who represents East Hartford and South Windsor, has proposed designating the last Saturday of each October as Halloween in Connecticut instead of the traditional Oct. 31, citing both parents' concerns and economic issues.
Larson said in a news release that he doesn't expect the General Assembly to take up the issue this year, when Halloween falls on a Monday. But, he said, he would like to have his proposal considered in 2012.
"Halloween is a fun night for the whole family, but not so much when you have to race home from work, get the kids ready for trick or treating, welcome the neighborhood children, and then try to get everyone in bed for an early school and work morning," Larson said. "Halloween has also become one of the top holidays for retailers selling candy, decorations, costumes and general party supplies. Jobs are created by this holiday, so let's make it a little more fun and safe for everyone, and create some jobs too."
While Halloween is not an official state or federal holiday, Larson said that parents of young children have complained to him about weeknight trick or treating and would prefer a weekend day. Saturday allows for events during the day as well as an earlier start to trick or treating, Larson said.
"This would be good for the economy and make Halloween a more family-friendly event every year," he said. "Everyone looks forward to Halloween a little more when it falls on the weekend."
John Hardy
11:42 am on Monday, October 24, 2011
That he feels he has time to promulgate this kind of nonsense when the State and its citizens are facing so many other issues is simply insulting to voters.
Arthur Cyr
12:02 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
If he spent more than 10 minutes thinking about this proposal, then he is failing in his responsibilities to the voters to concentrate on the important issues like jobs, jobs, state budgets and infrastructure improvements, economic development and, oh yea, jobs jobs, jobs
Jenny Merrick Vecchio
1:00 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
Yeah, more government is the solution to everything! Maybe this will appease the occupy wallstreeters and they can all go work for Party City. Why don't we all just make Halloween a year round event? Think of the jobs created! All those unemployed artists and costume designers, not to mention candy manufacturers and dentists we will be supporting! Great use of taxpayer funding.
Jenny Merrick Vecchio
1:05 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
and in case you couldn't tell, I was being sarcastic.
Fed Up
2:58 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
Stupid nanny state government. Larson KNOWS it would be much more fun for all families? Does he have a crystal ball? How does he know? I don't want to be locked in to staying home every last Saturday of October to dole out candy, Mr Larson. Sorry, getting to go out after dark running from house to house to collect candy on a school night was half the fun for my children! Once a year parents have to go home at night to do something fun for their children? Oh, the pressure! How do any of them survive it? When Halloween falls on a week day it allows people to have costume parties on the weekend before. One more do-nothing politician focusing on nonsense instead of real problems.
Robin Lindstedt
3:19 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
Really? I'm with Ms. Vecchio. Don't our elected officials have bigger fish to fry?
Melissa Brett
10:27 am on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Is it really any level of government's job to consider this? What's next? Moving Christmas? Please. Every parent over the age of 18 has dealt with Halloween on a weeknight. Our government needs to focus on much more critical issues, let the parents deal with this.
Diane
1:00 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
I've been thinking the same thing for years! No one would have to worry about getting homework done and getting up and out at the crack of dawn the next day. We move Memorial Day and Thanksgiving, so why not?
Jessie Sawyer
1:09 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
This is an interesting topic. I wonder if any other states have explored this. On the one hand, Halloween is more convenient on the weekend, but from a historical standpoint, there's something to be said for keeping it on the same day. Does anybody know if Connecticut has explored this before? I'm wondering what sparked this idea. What do you think about it? It was a topic of conversation in Luke's Donuts today!
Jessie Sawyer
Editor, Avon Patch
Bucky Saunders
12:25 am on Wednesday, October 26, 2011
It comes up every now and then in years when Halloween isn't on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. Last time I could find this proposed as law in our LOB was in 2007 when All Hollow's Eve fell on a Wednesday. http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/TOB/S/2007SB-00549-R00-SB.htm
Oh sure
4:52 pm on Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Maybe we should do the same with Passover or, better yet, Good Friday.
What a lamebrain idea.